Scan privacy tool and methods using sensors or control buttons

ABSTRACT

A multi-functional printing (MFP) includes a scan privacy tool to allow edits and changes to a scanned document image to remove or hide private information within a document. The scan privacy tool is enabled for jobs on the MFP device and launches when a job is run. The document is scanned and a scanned document image displayed on a display and edit interface of the scan privacy tool. Changes are made to the image using tools available through the scan privacy tool. The changes are applied to the scanned document image. The modified image is saved and transmitted to an engine in the MFP device to complete the job. An external input device, such as control buttons or a motion sensor device, is used to input instructions to the scan privacy tool in order to modify the scanned image.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to scanning documents and using a scanprivacy tool to perform actions on the scanned document at the printerprior to saving the scanned image.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

A user must take several measures when removing or hiding confidentialinformation on a scanned, faxed, or to-be-copied document. In order toavoid disclosure of confidential information, the user uses post-itnotes, tape, correction fluid, or stickers to block it from beingreproduced or viewed in a subsequent document. Another way to hide theconfidential information is to make a soft copy of the document, edit itthrough a document-editing software program on a computer, and thenreprint the corrected, edited, or fixed document. All of these taskstake time and resources, many times away from the printer or scanner.Further, a computer or appropriate office supplies may not be availableto use. The resulting document also looks unprofessional in the case ofusing post-it notes and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A multi-functional printing (MFP) device is disclosed. The MFP deviceincludes a component to generate an image file of a document. The MFPdevice also includes a scan privacy tool. The scan privacy tool includesan imaging interface to store the scanned image from the component in amemory location. The scan privacy tool also includes a display and editinterface to receive the scanned image from the imaging interface and todisplay the scanned image. The display and edit interface performs anaction to modify the scanned image. The scan privacy tool also includesa scan privacy tool library to support the tool to modify the scannedimage as displayed by the display and edit interface. The MFP alsoincludes an external input device to provide instructions to the scanprivacy tool to perform the action within the display and editinterface. The MFP also includes an engine to receive the modified imagefrom the display and edit interface in order to process the modifiedimage.

A system for modifying a scanned image within a multi-functionalprinting device also is disclosed. The system includes a scan privacytool to modify the scanned image. The scan privacy tool includes animaging interface to receive the scanned image of a document and tostore the scanned image. The scan privacy tool also includes a displayand edit interface to receive and display the scanned image. The scanprivacy tool also includes a scan privacy tool library having at leastone tool to support an action to modify the scanned image. The displayand edit interface to use the at least one tool to modify the scannedimage. The system also includes an external input device coupled to thescan privacy tool to provide instructions to perform the action tomodify the scanned image using the at least one tool.

A method for modifying a scanned image of a document at amulti-functional printing device also is disclosed. The method includesenabling a scan privacy tool to receive input from an external inputdevice. The method also includes displaying the image file on a displayand edit interface of the scan privacy tool. The method also includesselecting a tool supported by a scan privacy tool library of the scanprivacy tool. The method also includes receiving instructions from theexternal input device to perform an action on a page object within thescanned image. The method also includes modifying the page object withinthe scanned image according to the action using the tool of the scanprivacy tool. The method also includes saving the modified scannedimage.

Another multi-functional printing (MFP) device is disclosed. The MFPdevice includes a scanning component to generate an image file of adocument. The MFP device also includes a privacy tool. The privacy toolincludes an imaging interface for the scanning component to store theimage file in a memory location. The privacy tool also includes adisplay and edit interface to receive the image file from the imaginginterface and to display the image file. The display and edit interfaceperforms an action to modify the image file. The privacy tool alsoincludes a privacy tool library to support the action to modify theimage file as received by the display and edit interface. The MFP devicealso includes an engine to receive the modified image file from thedisplay and edit interface in order to process the modified image file.

A scan privacy tool for use with a multi-functional printing device alsois disclosed. The scan privacy tool includes an imaging interface toreceive an image file of a document and to store the image file. Thescan privacy tool also includes a display and edit interface to receiveand to display the image file. The scan privacy tool also includes aprivacy tool library having at least one tool to support an action tomodify the image file. The display and edit interface uses the at leastone tool to modify the image file.

A method for modifying an image file of a document also is disclosed.The method includes displaying the image file on a display and editinterface of a scan privacy tool. The method also includes selecting atool from a scan privacy tool library of the scan privacy tool. Themethod also includes modifying the image file using the scan privacytool. The method also includes saving the modified image file. Themethod also includes transmitting the modified image file to an engineof a multi-functional printing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other features and attendant advantages of the present inventionwill be more fully appreciated when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-functional printer havinga scan privacy tool according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of components of the scan privacytool according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a display and edit interface accordingto the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4A illustrates another example of a display and edit interface usedwith a multi-functional printer according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4B illustrates a front display panel having control buttons tomodify a scanned document image according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4C illustrates a front display panel having an integrated motionsensor for the scan privacy tool according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4D illustrates a front display panel having a connected motionsensor for the scan privacy tool according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart for modifying a scanned document imageusing a scan privacy tool according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart for using a scan privacy tool with ascanned image file according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart for pattern recognition and caching usinga scan privacy tool according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart for detecting motions or gestures toenable scan privacy tool according to the disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments of thepresent invention. Examples of these embodiments are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Numerous specific details are set forth in orderto provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. While theembodiments will be described in conjunction with the drawings, it willbe understood that the following description is not intended to limitthe present invention to any one embodiment. On the contrary, thefollowing description is intended to cover alternatives, modifications,and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of theappended claims. Numerous specific details are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

In some embodiments, a scan privacy tool is a scanner tool used afterscanning a page or document but prior to saving the scanned image at amulti-functional printer (MFP). It may be a post-scan tool used to makecorrections, markings, highlights, colorization, de-colorization,erasures, masks, blurs, and the like in conjunction with MFP scan, copy,and fax features. The scan privacy tool may act as an annotation toolthat is focused specifically to clean out confidential information asopposed to using notes, correction fluid, or computer programs. Thus,one does not need a computer or office supplies for modifying or hidinginformation as all of these capabilities are located at the scanner orMFP.

The scan privacy tool is a tool that may respond to these tasks. It isnot an annotation software solution per se. The scan privacy toolprovides the capability to erase or block-out confidential keywords,numbers, phrases, codes, or pictures as well as the ability to do simpleyet needed and practical corrections on scanned pages or images.Hereinafter, use of the term “image” includes scanned pages anddocuments.

Current MFPs include limited touch-screen capability for fullysupporting the editing and manipulation of images shown on a frontdisplay panel. Front display panels may have limited and predefinedareas for fixed functionality defined when manufactured. Currenttechnologies include menu-driven front panels that do not provide forimage editing functionality. Some front panels may use of controlbuttons, whether on the display panel itself (using software controlbuttons) or on the side of or around the perimeter of the display panelusing physical or hardware buttons. Each display panel, however, is thatimages may be shown. The ability of display images can be leveraged toadd the scan privacy tool features disclosed below.

The scan privacy tool may require the full-range capability to be ableto manipulate an image, such as scaling, zooming, rotating, and otherimage editing functionalities like corrections, erasures, blurs,strike-throughs, and the like. The functionalities may be not possiblewhen the front panel display is not a full-featured touchscreen display.In order to activate and enable the scan privacy tool, the disclosedembodiments leverage such control buttons to allow for the edits,manipulation, and corrections on any image that can be displayed on adisplay panel connected to a MFP. It also is possible to use motion orgesture sensors that are integrated with the display panel or that maybe connected via a universal serial bus (USB) port, Bluetooth™, NFC,Wi-fi, wireless, or other means of connectivity, with the MFP device toallow for motion or gesture sensor functionalities. These embodimentsincorporating the use of control buttons and gestures sensors for usewith the scan privacy tool are disclosed in greater detail below.

The disclosed scan privacy tool includes several features that providebenefits when using a MFP for scanning or reproduction of documents. Onefeature is an easily accessible proofreading service and tool located atthe scanner or MFP engine. The scan privacy tool also improves the useof the MFP with a document reflective mat. The scan privacy toolsoftware development kit and application program interfaces on top ofthe scanner firmware to expose the scanned image may lead to developmentof other applications and business models incorporated with the MFP.

The following terminologies may be used as disclosed below:

A Page Description Language (PDL) is a type of programming language thatdescribes the document or pages in a print job. Examples of PDLs includePrinter Command Language (PCL) 5, PCLXL or PCL 6, and PostScript.Portable Document Format (PDF) and XML Paper Specification (XPS) alsobelong to this group. Image formats such as JPG or TIFF, which also maybe printed, may be special cases that are handled by the PDL.

A Graphics Rendering Component is an internal component in RIP firmwarethat translates the PDL commands or date into binary data that the MFPengine understands. This is similar to machine language to whichprogramming languages are translated for computing devices tounderstand. The binary data is understood by the hardware in the MFP andconverted into actual drawings or pixels on the paper.

A Software Development Kit (SDK) is a library for adding and enablingfeatures in a software or firmware package. It also is a library toallow for development of applications on top of the software or firmwarepackage.

An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of interfacefunctions that may be programmatically accessed at the MFP engine forinteracting and cooperating with the firmware at run-time or during theuse of the display and edit interface.

A scanned document image refers to the raster or binary imagerepresentation of the scanned document that the MFP has translated fromthe document on the scanner flatbed or document processor tray.

An original source pattern is a part of the scanned document image thatthe user is interested in modifying, correcting, or editing using thescan privacy tool. The part may be like a rectangular or shaped area or,alternatively, an irregular shaped area in the document.

A modification pattern is a raster image of the modified source patternthat is created after applying the scan privacy tool.

Pattern-Rule Pairs refer to a mapping of the original source pattern andrules that would be applied to the source pattern for editing, updating,modifying, or correcting the original source image, or scanned documentimage. The source pattern can be a raster or binary image of a plaintext that can be searched in the scanned document image. The rules maybe a list of modification patterns or at least one library tool that canbe applied to the source pattern.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a multi-functional printer (MFP) 100having a scan privacy tool 200 according to the disclosed embodiments.The architecture shown in FIG. 1 may apply to any multi-functionalprinter or image forming apparatus that scans documents to perform otherfunctions, such as printing, storing, copying, and the like.

MFP 100 includes a computing platform 101 that performs operations tosupport these functions. Computing platform 101 includes a computerprocessing unit (CPU) 102, an image forming unit 104, a memory unit 106,and a network communication interface 110. Other components may beincluded but are not shown for brevity. MFP 100, using computingplatform 101, may be configured to perform various operations, such asscanning, copying, printing, receiving or sending a facsimile, ordocument processing. As such, MFP 100 may be a printing device or amulti-function peripheral including a scanner, and one or more functionsof a copier, a facsimile device, and a printer. To provide thesefunctions, MFP 100 includes printer components 120 to perform printingoperations, copier components 122 to perform copying operations, scannercomponents 124 to perform scanning operations, and facsimile components126 to receive and send facsimile documents. CPU 102 may issueinstructions to these components to perform the desired operations.

MFP 100 also includes a finisher 111 and one or more paper cassettes112. Finisher 111 includes rotatable downstream rollers to move paperswith an image formed surface after the desired operation to a tray.Finisher 111 also may perform additional actions, such as sorting thefinished papers, binding sheets of papers with staples, doubling,creasing, punching holes, folding, and the like. Paper cassettes 112supply paper to image the various components 120, 122, 124, and 126 tocreate the image formed surfaces on the papers. Paper cassettes 112 mayinclude papers having various sizes, colors, composition, and the like.Paper cassettes 112 may be removed to refill as needed.

Document processor input feeder tray 130 may be the physical componentsof MFP 100 to receive papers and documents to be processed. A documentis placed on or in document processor input feeder tray 130, which movesthe document to other components within MFP 100. The movement of thedocument from document processor input feeder tray 130 may be controlledby the instructions input by the user. For example, the document maymove to a scanner flatbed 210, as disclosed below, for scanningoperations. Thus, document processor input feeder tray 130 provides thedocument to scanner components 120. As shown in FIG. 1, documentprocessor input feeder tray 130 may interact with engine firmware 150 toperform the desired operations.

Memory unit 106 includes memory storage locations 114 to storeinstructions 115. Instructions 115 are executable on CPU 102 or otherprocessors associated with MFP 100, such as any processors withincomponents 120, 122, 124, or 126. Memory unit 106 also may storeinformation for various programs and applications, as well as dataspecific to MFP 100. For example, a storage location 114 may includedata for running an operating system executed by computing platform 101to support the components within MFP 100.

Memory unit 106 may comprise volatile and non-volatile memory. Volatilememory may include random access memory (RAM). Examples of non-volatilememory may include read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), digital tape, a harddisk drive (HDD), or a solid-state drive (SSD). Memory unit 106 alsoincludes any combination of readable or writable volatile memories ornon-volatile memories, along with other possible memory devices.

Computing platform 101 may host one or more processors, such as CPU 102.These processors are capable of executing instructions 115 stored at oneor more storage locations 114. By executing these instructions, theprocessors cause MFP 100 to perform various operations. The processorsalso may incorporate processing units for specific purposes, such asapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs). Other processors may be included for executingoperations particular to components 120, 122, 124, and 126. In otherwords, the particular processors cause MFP 100 to act as a printer,copier, scanner, and a facsimile device.

MFP 100 also includes an operations panel 108, which may be connected tocomputing platform 101. Operations panel 108 may include a display unit116 and an input unit 117 for facilitating interaction with a user toprovide commands to MFP 100. Display unit 116 may be any electronicvideo display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). Input unit 117may include any combination of devices that allow users to inputinformation into operations panel 108, such as buttons, a touch screen,a keyboard or keypad, switches, dials, and the like. Preferably, inputunit 117 includes a touch-screen digitizer overlaid onto display unit116 that senses touch to receive inputs from the user. By this manner,the user interacts with display unit 116. Scan privacy tool 200 also isconnected to operations panel 108, as disclosed in greater below.

MFP 100 also includes network communication processing unit 118. Networkcommunication processing unit 118 may establish a network communication,such as a wireless or wired connection with one or more other imageforming apparatuses and a server in an image forming system. CPU 102 mayinstruct network communication processing unit 118 to transmit orretrieve information over a network using network communicationinterface 110. As data is received at computing platform 101 over anetwork, network communication processing unit 118 decodes the incomingpackets and delivers them to CPU 102. CPU 102 may act accordingly bycausing operations to occur on MFP 100. CPU 102 also may retrieveinformation stored in memory unit 106, such as settings for MFP 100.

MFP 100 also includes engine firmware 150. Engine firmware 150 may be acombination of hardware and software components that act accordingly toaccomplish a task. For example, engine firmware 150 is comprised ofcomponents and software to print a document. It may receive instructionsfrom computing platform 101 after user input via operations panel 108.Alternatively, engine firmware 150 may receive instructions fromoperations panel 108 via scan privacy tool 200.

Engine firmware 150 manages and operates the low-level mechanism of theMFP engine, such as hardware components that actuate placement of toneronto paper. Engine firmware 150 may manage and coordinate thehalf-toner, toner cartridges, rollers, schedulers, storage, input/outputoperations, and the like. The raster image processor (RIP) firmware thatinterprets the page description languages (PDLs) would transmit and sendinstructions down to the lower-level engine firmware 150 for actualrendering of an image and application of the toner onto paper duringoperations on MFP 100. Embodiments of engine firmware 150 also aredisclosed in a greater detail below.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of components of scan privacy tool 200integrated inside MFP 100 according to the disclosed embodiments. FIG. 2shows scan privacy tool 200 operably connected to various components ofMFP 100. Scan privacy tool 200 may be integrated into MFP 100, or may bea separate hardware component connected to MFP 100. Alternatively, scanprivacy tool 200 may be a mobile device that is connected to MFP 100,either via a wire or other physical connection or wirelessly to networkcommunication interface 110. These embodiments are disclosed in greaterdetail below.

Scan privacy tool 200 may include three components. Imaging interface202 provides a scanned document image 212 for displaying on display andedit interface 204. Display and edit interface 204 may act as aninteractive interface for performing proofreading tasks on the scanneddocument image 212. Scan privacy tool library 206 enables thefunctionalities, capabilities, and imaging routines for making thecorrection, cleaning, and other proofreading tasks on scanned documentimage 212. Once all edits are made, the updated, modified, or correcteddocument image 212 is sent to the applicable components by enginefirmware 150 for actual saving, copying, printing, faxing, or otheractions. Printer components 120 are shown for illustrative purposes inany examples provided below. Engine firmware 150 receives the reviseddocument image from scan privacy tool 200 to accomplish any tasks.

Imaging interface 202 may be an update to current scanner firmware (aspart of engine firmware 150), which is the component that scans thephysical page from scanner flatbed 210 as part of scanner components124. Alternatively, scanned document image 212 may be captured usingdocument processor feeder. A scanner firmware update will add supportfor interfacing with the other components, such as scan privacy toollibrary 206 and display and edit interface 204 of scan privacy tool 200.

In some embodiments, imaging interface 202 is a module or component thatintercepts a scanned document or document image from the current scannerpipeline. The scanner firmware that manages scanner components 124 mayinclude code or a component to interact with imaging interface 202.Normally, the scanner firmware would scan the document or page fromscanner flatbed 210, apply the selected effects from operations panel108, and send document image file 212 to engine firmware 150 forprinting, saving, transmission, and the like. Using scan privacy tool200, imaging interface 202 receives document image file 212 to edit ormodify using display and edit interface 204, as disclosed below.

Image interface 202 keeps the editable, rasterized image file in amemory or storage, either within scan privacy tool 200 or externalstorage 208. As disclosed below, “storage 208” may refer to internal orexternal memory storage for scan privacy tool 200. Image interface 202may share the image file with display and edit interface 204 forpresenting it to a user for performing the edits. Once all the editingis completed, imaging interface 202 gets back the updated, corrected, ormodified image for saving, copying, printing, transmitting, and thelike. In other words, after the user finalizes the “corrected documentimage,” this new image file is sent back to imaging interface 202.Imaging interface 202 may send the new image file to engine firmware 150for further operations within MFP 100.

Scan privacy tool library 206 allows for the image processing of scanneddocument image 212 through programming interfaces to imaging interface202. This component of scan privacy tool 200 includes softwaredevelopment kit (SDK) 2062 and application programming interface (API)2064 that provide functions to support capabilities within scan privacytool library 206. Scan privacy tool library 206 provides the interfacefunctions to allow querying for location, color, and other similar pagecontent properties for use in the manipulation, correction, and otherproofreading effects. It gets reference to document image file 212. Scanprivacy tool library 206 also supports interface functions to edit anyitems or objects in the scanned pages of scanned document image 212.Tools include those to allow for erasure, masking, overwriting,blurring, highlighting, and the like of the selected page items orobjects. Other tools include those to add pre-defined patterns such ashatch patterns, colors, objects, and the like on top of or over pageitems or objects.

Scan privacy tool library 206 includes tools to provide the capabilitiesto a user of MFP 100 for editing scanned document image 212. The toolsmay be stored as software components within scan privacy tool library206 and executed when selected via API 2064 or from display and editinterface 204. The tools may include:

Erase—remove the pattern or object;

Blur-out—pixelate or cause the pattern to be blurred, unreadable, orunrecognizable;

Black-out—overlay a rectangular black box around the pattern or object;

Mask-out—overlay a pre-defined pattern, such as a hatch pattern, on topof the pattern or object;

Highlight—overlay a transparent color on top of the pattern or object;

Encircle—enclose the pattern or object with a circle or ellipticalshape;

Rectangular—enclose the pattern or object in a rectangular shape;

Check—overlay the pattern or object with a check-mark;

Cross-out—overlay the pattern or object with a cross-mark or a big Xcharacter;

Colorize—change the color of the pattern or object to a user-selectedcolor;

De-colorize—remove color and leave behind the outline of the pattern orobject;

Blend—blend a selected pattern or image on top of pattern or object; and

Hide—overlay an opaque pattern, hatch pattern, or image on top of apattern or object.

The above list may be subject to additional capabilities by tools withinscan privacy tool library 206.

Display and edit interface 204 is a component in scan privacy tool 200that allows for the editing, correcting, and proofreading of scanneddocument image 212 to actually occur. It acts as the user interface tointeract with scanner components 124 to perform the scan privacy tooltasks. Display and edit interface 204 may include a display interfacethat is a digitized display, such as a touch-screen display, apen-enabled display, or a stylus-enabled display. Display and editinterface 204 also captures user actions and input. Display and editinterface 204 also may include non-interactive display devices thatsupport this component through the use of motion sensors or controlbuttons. A user will be able to access display and edit interface 204 touse a finger, digitized pen or stylus, or gestures when using motionsensors to apply the library tools disclosed above supported by scanprivacy tool library 206.

In some embodiments, display and edit interface 204 is kind of a“client” of scan privacy tool library 206. Display and edit interface204 makes use of API 2064 (or APIs) exposed by the scanner firmware toapply the effects to document image file 212. SDK 2062 is provided sothat other applications can be developed to take advantage of the toolsavailable in scan privacy tool library 206 to perform effects on thedocument image. For example, plug-ins may be developed, installed, andaccess through the printer panel for the manipulation of the documentimage.

As shown in FIG. 2, scan privacy tool 200 may interact with othercomponents of MFP 100 as well as external devices. Instructions fromoperations panel 108 may be received to invoke the scan privacyfunctions support by tool 200. Operations panel 108 also may supportdisplay and edit interface 204, as disclosed below. Scanned documentimage 212 is received as an electronic document from scanner flatbed210, which is a piece of hardware within MFP 100. Scan privacy tool 200provides any finished document to engine firmware 150 for additionalactions, such as printing, copying, storing, and the like. A detachablestorage 208 also may support scan privacy tool 200, as disclosed below.In some embodiments, storage 208 may be within an external device thatsupports scan privacy tool 200.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of a display and edit interface 204 accordingto the disclosed embodiments. Display and edit interface 204 may beintegrated into the scanner system of MFP 100, such as on operationspanel 108 or on the document reflective mat, as disclosed below. It alsomay be supported by a connected device, such as a laptop, tablet,smartphone, or computer. A user interacts with display and edit userinterface 204 to make corrections or edits on page objects withinscanned document image 212, displayed within the interface.

To enable or disable scan privacy tool 200, the user may select theprivacy tool functionality on operations panel 108, either using displayunit 116 or input unit 117. Alternatively, selections may be done usingan external input device, disclosed in greater detail below. The scanprivacy tool feature is a selectable option on the display panel muchlike “copy,” “send,” “fax,” “store,” and the like. A user interface maybe presented on operations panel 108 with a button that is indicated onthe touchscreen. Engagement with the button using a finger or pointerwill enable or disable scan privacy tool 200. In other embodiments,operations panel 108 may have limited interactive or touch-screencapability. Control buttons on operations panel 108 also may be used toenable scan privacy tool 200.

Display and edit interface 204 includes display and edit toolbox 302.Toolbox 302 includes buttons corresponding to the tools available withinscan privacy tool library 206. The user may select what actions to usefor applying the corrections or edits on page objects within scanneddocument image 212. A page object may refer to text, an image or graphicrepresentation within scanned document image 212. The selection of oneof the buttons within toolbox 302 invokes the functionality associatedwith the appropriate tool. The user then applies the tool to the text orgraphics within scanned document image 212. Toolbox 302 must be presentfor all types of implementation or form factors of display and editinterface 204. As shown in FIG. 3, some embodiments include toolbox 302with scanned document image 212.

In one example, the user wishes to erase one or more items withinscanned document image 212. Toolbox 302 includes an erase button ondisplay and edit interface 204. The user may select the erase buttonwithin toolbox 302 and use the interactive interface, which can be atouch screen display, to select the page object, such as a word, text,graphic, and the like, to erase. The user may use a finger, a stylus, ora digital pen to identify the items to erase. In this example, the userapplies pressure to the touch screen to indicate the items.

Further to the example, scanned document image may include privateinformation 306, 308, 310, and 312. Private information in this exampleis text, or, more specifically, numbers. Private information 306 mayinclude a password, while private information 308, 310 and 312 includelocations and project information. The user may not wish suchinformation to be reproduced or stored in an electronic format. Otherinformation may be deemed private within scanned document image 212,such as names, address, date, and the like.

The user indicates private information 306-312 for erasure on displayand edit interface 204. Referring to FIG. 3, the pixels of scanneddocument image 212 corresponding to the locations shown for the privateinformation would be changed to reflect the erased text using the erasetool within scan privacy tool library. Alternatively, other actions maybe taken using display and edit interface 204, such as blurring theprivate information or scribbling over it by selecting the appropriatebutton within toolbox 302.

Once the document has been changed or edited, pattern rule box 304 maybe used to indicate whether the changes are to be applied to subsequentpages or documents. A pattern-rule pair indicated using pattern rule box304 may be saved to apply similar patterns in the page or for the restof the pages in scanned document image 212. As shown, pattern rule box304 includes check boxes for applying the changes or edits for similarpatterns on this page only, all pages, or always.

Referring to the above example, use of pattern rule box 304 may resultin identifying private information 310 that has the same numbers asprivate information 308. Display and edit interface 204 would identifythe similar private information and erase it. This may save time andreduce proofreading errors in large documents. This process is disclosedin greater detail below. In another example, the user checks the“Always” box in pattern rule box 304 to save and apply the pattern-rulepair to future scanned jobs. By default, the pair will be checked andselected in the user interface, unless the user un-selects the checkbox.Thus, the user can identify the password of private information 306 toalways be erased in documents processed by MFP 100. This functionalleviates the need to stop and erase the information on every page orin every document.

Display and edit interface 204 may be invoked using a button thatlaunches scan privacy tool 200, as disclosed above. In some embodiments,the feature will be a selectable option on operations panel 108 of MFP100, such as copy, send, fax, store, and the like. To update, modify, ormake corrections on scanned document image 212 shown by display and editinterface 204, the user may interact with an interactive front panel ofoperations panel 108.

Alternatively, scan privacy tool 200 may be an application executing ina mobile or external device connected to MFP 100. Touch-screen devices,such as tablets, computers, laptops, smartphones, and the like areconnected to MFP 100, either using a wired or wireless connection. Thedevice stores and executes the application that supports display andedit interface 204. With regard to a wireless connection, MPF 100 mayuse network communication interface 110 to exchange data using a knownprotocol and platform, such as Bluetooth™, WiFi, cellular, and the like.For the wired connection, the device hosting the application for scanprivacy tool 200 may connect to MFP 100 using a USB connection and thelike.

In some embodiments, the document will be scanned to generate scanneddocument image 212 in MFP 100. Scanned document image 212 will beviewable and editable in display and edit interface 204 displayed on theexternal device. The user may make edits, modification, or changes asdisclosed above. For example, the user may select the erase button intoolbox 302 to erase private information within scanned document image212. The user then selects the save button within toolbox 302 to finishedits in the document. The saved electronic document is transmitted toMFP 100 for further processing, such as printing, copying, storing, andthe like.

FIG. 4A depicts another example of a device using display and editinterface 204 used with a MFP 100 according to the disclosedembodiments. This configuration of scan privacy tool 200 includesdisplay and edit interface 204 being located on document reflective mat401. Document reflective mat 401 may work with scanner cover 404 topress document 402 onto scanner flatbed 210. In some embodiments,document reflective mat 401 comprises a touch-screen display.

Because display and edit interface 204 is on the scanner cover ordocument reflective mat 401, it may not be applicable in all use cases,such as when document feeder tray 130 is used to receive document 402.Scanner cover 404 needs to be raised and opened to gain access todisplay and edit interface 204. This may not be practical when usingdocument processor input feeder tray 130.

Solutions to using display and edit interface 204 on document reflectivemat 401 include enabling the interface only when scanning is done usingscanner flatbed 210. If document processor input feeder tray 130 isused, then scan privacy tool 200 is disabled or unavailable.Alternatively, the user may use scan privacy tool 200 in operationspanel 108 such that display and edit interface 204 is displayed there aswell.

Another solution may be to scan all document sheets from documentprocessor input feeder tray 130. This process then saves all the scanneddocument images to storage 208. Storage 208, as shown in FIG. 2, may beattached or connected to MFP 100 and scan privacy tool 200. Storage 208makes the saved document images available to display and edit interface204 after all pages or documents are scanned. Preferably, storage 208 isexternal to MFP 100, such as a USB flash drive, so as to not hinder theprinter engine, or engine firmware 150, from processing regular jobs.Further, this capability depends on sufficient free space in the memoryof storage 208. Edits, modifications, and changes may be made from thefirst saved document image until the last page.

One also may consider other configurations for display and editinterface 204, such as a tablet or mobile device with a touch screendisplay. As disclosed above, an application is executed on the externaldevice. The device includes an integrated scan privacy tool 200 alongwith SDK 2062 and API 2061 to receive scanned document image 212 fromMFP 100. The user edits, modifies, and changes private informationwithin the document image using display and edit interface 204 supportedby the applicable touch-screen or display device. The modified documentimages are sent back to MFP 100 for subsequent operations, such ascopying, printing, faxing, and the like.

In other embodiments, motion sensors, a mouse, or control buttons may beinstalled around display unit 116 of operations panel 108 that is not atouch-screen. These external input devices are coupled to scan privacytool 200 and support gestures and the tracking of indicators, such as afinger, hand, pointer, pen, and the like, to manipulate the documentimages or objects shown on display unit 116. Display and edit interface204 also may include a virtual reality or augmented reality interfacethrough a smart phone or similar devices. Display and edit interface 204may be viewable in virtual reality or augmented reality. Gestures andhand motions may edit the document images. Alternatively, controlswithin the virtual reality environment through the applicable geardevice may be used.

These embodiments may be disclosed below. As noted above, operationspanel 108 may have limited interactive or touch-screen capability.External input devices including control buttons and gesture sensors maybe used to enable and use scan privacy tool 200. To update, modify, ormake corrections on scanned document image 212, the user usually willoperate with software control buttons for toolbox 302, shown in FIG. 3.In some instances, these software control buttons may not be available.

FIG. 4B depicts a front display panel, such as display unit 116 ofoperations panel 108, having control buttons 320 to modify a scanneddocument image 212 according to the disclosed embodiments. As can beseen, control buttons 320 are used to input commands and instructions todisplay and edit interface 204 of scan privacy tool 200. To update,modify, or make corrections to scanned document image 212, the user willoperate with physical control buttons placed around or on the sides ofdisplay unit 116 of operations panel 108. The user presses the controlbuttons or uses a pointer, as disclosed in greater detail below.

The embodiments shown in FIG. 4B include the following control buttons.Additional control buttons may be implemented. The disclosed controlbuttons, however, are preferred when using scan privacy tool 200 withMFP 100. Pointer 322 may be used to indicate text, graphics, or sectionsof scanned document image 212 being displayed in display and editinterface 204. Pointer 322 may be similar to a mouse pointer. Pointer322 may be moved using the graphic shown, such as a hand with a fingerpointing to a location within display and edit interface 204. Pointer322 also may be moved using other control buttons, a track pad or mouseconnected to operations panel 108, and the like. Pointer 322 is movedwithin the displayed image for the selection, marking, moving,highlighting, or other functionalities that can be performed on the pagecontents or objects in scanned document image 212. The selected effect,such as erase or blur from toolbox 302, may be applied using pointer320.

Direction keys 324 a-d may be a set of control buttons to allow for themovement of pointer 322 around the displayed image, or scanned documentimage 212. In some embodiments, a numeric keypad may serve to providedirection keys 324 a-d. Control button 324 a may be the up arrow key,control button 324 b may be the right arrow key, control button 324 cmay be the down arrow key, and control button 324 d may be the leftarrow key. Control buttons 324 a, 324 b, 324 c, and 324 d may correspondwith the 2, 6, 8, and 4 buttons, respectively, on a numeric keypadwithin operations panel 108. Control button 326 may correspond with thenumber lock button on the panel and toggle the numeric key pad betweenalphanumeric keys and the directional keys. The user may press controlbutton 326 to use control buttons 324 a-d to move pointer 322. In otherembodiments, additional buttons may be added to operations panel 108,such as those having directional arrows.

Other keys may be implemented using one or more control buttons 320. Forexample, enter button 328 may allow for finalizing or applying theselected effect or tool. If enter button 328 is pressed, a prompt may bedisplayed within display and edit interface 204 to confirm the changesbeing made to scanned document image 212. Clear button 330 may allow forcancelling the current effect or tool that is being applied to scanneddocument image 212. Shift button 332 may allow for selection of atextual object on scanned document image 212. Undo button 334 may undothe effect or tools already within scanned document image 212.

Control buttons 320 also includes scan privacy tool toggle button 336.Toggle button 336 toggles and shows a scan privacy tool effect in anindication message 338, like erase, blur, patch, highlight, and the likeon the selected object within scanned document image 212. Toggle button336 may be pressed to activate the next available effect or tool fromtoolbox 302 to the object. The “object” may refer to text or graphicsselected by pointer 322. Indication message 338 may be shown on thedisplay panel to inform the user which effect or tool is activated. Forexample, FIG. 4B may show the blur tool being used. A double-click usingtoggle button 336 may allow the application of the desired effect ortool on the selected object. Alternatively, enter button 328 may bepressed in order to apply the effect or tool. Other buttons may bedesignated for certain functionalities to implement scan privacy tool200.

In some display panels, the use of stylus or finger strokes may belimited for the selection of page objects within scanned document image212. In order to navigate scanned document image 212 for selected pagecontent or objects, some combination of software or hardware buttons maybe used to apply the effects or tools of scan privacy tool 200. Thiscombination of buttons using both embodiments disclosed above may makethe editing actions to scanned document image 212 easier and moreefficient. Thus, control buttons 320 may be used with toolbox 302.

FIG. 4C depicts a front display panel, such as display unit 116 ofoperations panel 108, having an integrated motion sensor device 360 forscan privacy tool 200 according to the disclosed embodiments. FIG. 4Ddepicts a front display panel having a connected motion sensor device380 for scan privacy tool 200 according to the disclosed embodiments. Insome embodiments, it is possible to enable scan privacy tool 200 using anon-interactive front panel display through the use of motion or gesturesensors that are integrated into operations panel 108 or connected tothe operations panel. The motion or gesture sensors will detectmovements of the hands or fingers of the user inside a monitored area ofoperations panel 108 to activate and use scan privacy tool 200.

Integrated motion sensor device 360 may include motion sensors 362 whileconnected motion sensor device 380 includes motion sensor 382. Sensors362 and 382 may be passive sensors that detect a signature from a movingobject. In some embodiments, a passive infrared detector sensor may beused. The moving object may be a finger or hand of the user. In otherembodiments, it may be a stylus or pen/pencil held the by the user.Further, another sensor may be included on the stylus or pen/pencil tointeract with sensors 362 or 382. The stylus or pen/pencil also mayreflect a signal back to sensors 362 or 382 to indicate movement. Sensor362 or 382 also may be combined with software or hardware controlbuttons to provide the functionalities of scan privacy tool 200.

Motion sensor devices 360 and 380 may support the following motions orgestures to edit or modify scanned document image 212 using scan privacytool 200. A highlight stroke may be implemented using a swipe of afinger across a page object within the scanned image, such as text or animage. This action may cause the selection of the page object or image.A swiping motion on a previously selected page object may apply thehighlight effect on the selected object or image. These effects may beseen in display and edit interface 204.

Actions using two fingers also may be implemented for a zoom-in effect.Placement of two fingers together and a separation of the fingers mayenlarge the selected area of the scanned image. This zoom-in effect ison the selected page object. Another action uses two fingers for azoom-out effect. The user places two fingers apart and brings themtogether to scale down or zoom-out of the object within the displayedimage. The sensors detect the fingers being apart or together toinitialize the correct action to implement.

Two taps by a finger or other item on a page object within the scannedimage selects that object. For example, motion sensor device 360 detectsa finger in a location that corresponds to a word with scanned documentimage 212. A motion of “two taps” will select that word. Motion sensordevice 360 also allows for selection of an object by pressing the objectusing the finger. The user may then drag the object within the scannedimage to modify the document. A movement like a check, such as making acheck mark motion with a finger, may apply a check mark on a pageobject. A movement like an “X” on page object will mark that object withan X. An effect may be imposed or removed by these actions. An encircleaction may be implemented by drawing a circle on a page object. An eraseaction may be enabled by multiple left and right swipes on a page objectto remove the object. Additional gestures and motions may be used toapply different actions on the scanned document.

As shown, there may be two types of motion sensor devices 360 and 380for scan privacy tool 200. Motion sensor device 360 is integrated onoperations panel 108. It detects movement or gestures in an area by thefront panel display of panel 108. Motion sensor device 360 is shown ontop of operations panel 108 but may be integrated in any fashion. Motionsensor device 360 even may be integrated by control buttons 320.

Alternatively, motion sensor device 380 is a portable motion detectiondevice that is connected to a panel 108 as part of scan privacy tool200. As shown in FIG. 4D, motion sensor device 380 includes cord 382 andconnector 384. Although shown on top of operations panel 108, motionsensor device 380 may be placed anywhere in the vicinity of the panel aslong as cord 382 can reach it. Preferably, motion sensor device 380 isconnected using a USB port of MFP 100. Connector 384 is a USB adapter toconnect to the port. Other connection configurations may be used.Further, motion detection device 380 may wirelessly connect to MFP 100and scan privacy tool 200. Other sensors may be used to perform scanprivacy tool effects, such a trackpad, a mouse, a video camera, and thelike.

FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart 500 for modifying a scanned document image212 using scan privacy tool 200 according to the disclosed embodiments.The disclosure for flowchart 500 may include reference to componentsrecited above with regards to FIGS. 1-4 for illustrative purposes. Theembodiments disclosed by FIG. 5, however, are not limited to thecomponents shown in those figures.

Step 502 executes by placing document 402 on MFP 100. In someembodiments, document 402 is placed on scanner flatbed 210. In otherembodiments, document 402 is placed into document feeder tray 130.Further, document 402 may be more than one page and may contain text andgraphics.

Step 504 executes by generating a scanned image file 212 from document402. Preferably, document 402 is scanned by MFP 100 prior to performingfurther operations, such as printing, copying, or saving an image fileof the document. Scanner flatbed 210 scans document 402. Alternatively,scanned image file 212 may be scanned or generated in another device andsent to MFP 100. Scanned image file 212 may be generated within MFP 100for privacy tool applications. Scanned image file 212 is an electronicdocument as opposed to document 402, which may be a physical or hardcopy.

Step 506 executes by receiving scanned image file 212 by imaginginterface 202 of scan privacy tool 200. Scan privacy tool 200 is aseparate component used with or connected to MFP 100. The variousphysical configurations of scan privacy tool 200 are disclosed above.Preferably, scan privacy tool 200 is hosted on MFP 100 and invoked bypressing a button on operations panel 108. Scan privacy tool 200,however, may be supported by an external device connected to MFP 100.Thus, MFP 100 may send scanned image file 212 to the external device.Alternatively, scanned image file 212 may be initially stored and thenprovided to scan privacy tool 200 when it is connected to MFP 100.

Step 508 executes by displaying scanned image file 212 on display andedit interface 204 of scan privacy tool 100. Step 510 executes byselecting a tool from toolbox 302 within display and edit interface 204.The tool relates to an action to take with regards to scanned image file212 and is supported by scan privacy tool library 206.

Step 512 executes by searching for a pattern and at least onemodification rule pairs in scan privacy tool library 206. This step maybe optional if previous operations have stored patterns and rule pairsusing scan privacy tool 200. As disclosed above, modifications onprevious documents may be stored and used later by comparing text orgraphics in scanned image file 212 to the stored patterns or rule pairs.Using the example above, a password may be searched in subsequentdocuments and identified as being erased or blurred. This step searchesscan privacy tool library 206 for such rules.

Step 514 executes by modifying scanned image file 212 using the scanprivacy tool. Step 510 may proceed directly to step 514 if no search isdone on patterns or rule pairs within the scanned image file. Asdisclosed above, the modifications, edits and changes may be performedby touching the screen of display and edit interface 204 to indicatedtext or graphics using the tool. Step 516 executes by saving themodified scanned image file 212. In some embodiments, the modifiedscanned image file may be stored on an external device or storage 208.In other embodiments, the modified scanned image file is stored in amemory, such as memory 106, of MFP 100.

Step 518 executes by transmitting modified scanned image file 212 toengine firmware 150 of MFP 100. Step 520 executes by performingoperations with the modified image file using MFP 100. These stepscorrespond to the further actions taken using the modified image filethat hides, erases, or modifies the private information in document 402.MFP 100 may print copies of document 402 with the private informationerased.

FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart 600 for using scan privacy tool 200 withscanned image file 212 according to the disclosed embodiments. Flowchart600 discloses steps similar to flowchart 500 but focuses more on theactions within scan privacy tool 200.

Step 602 executes by enabling scan privacy tool 200. This step may beperformed by the user pressing a button on operations panel 108 or otherinterface, such as within an application, to enable or disable the scanprivacy tool feature. The enablement using the button sends a command toMFP 100 to invoke scan privacy tool 200 at the appropriate point withinoperations to print, copy, scan, fax, and the like. The user also maydisable scan privacy tool 200 in this step by pressing a correspondingbutton.

Step 604 executes by scanning document 402. The user may place thedocument pages on or in MFP 100. The user may press “start” or anothersuch button on operations panel 108 to commence scanning. Step 606executes by generating scanned image file 212 from document 402. If theuser does not enable scan privacy tool 200, then the document will bescanned and directly saved, copied, printed, transmitted, and the like.This will complete flowchart 600. If scan privacy tool 200 is enabled,then the following steps are executed.

Step 608 executes by receiving scanned image file 212 at imaginginterface 202 of scan privacy tool 200. Imaging interface 202 may modifythe electronic file to be compatible with the other components withinscan privacy tool 200. It also may check to see if scanned image file212 can be supported by scan privacy tool 200. Step 610 executes bysending scanned image file 212 to display and edit interface 204. Step612 executes by displaying scanned image file 212 within display andedit interface 204 on a touch-screen display either at MFP 100 or withinan external connected device.

Step 614 executes by selecting a tool to perform an action using scanprivacy tool 200. The “tool” is displayed as a button in toolbox 302 andrelates to a function supported by scan privacy tool library 206. Thefunction allows the user to complete an action to modify scanned imagefile 212. Step 616 executes by selecting a word or graphic to modifywithin scanned image file 212. The user can select word using a finger,stylus, digital pen, and the like to identify private information withinthe scanned image of the document. The user also may select figures,logos, numbers, and the like.

Step 618 executes by applying the tool to modify the selected word orgraphic. In some embodiments, scan privacy tool library 206 includes API2064 that detects the background of the selected private information anduses it to erase or modify any foreground color that the user hastouched or identified. For example, a word may be erased by detectingthe page of the scanned document image and erasing the text color. Theuser also may select other tools to use for modifying privateinformation within scanned document image 212. The user also may setpattern rule pairs using pattern rule box 304.

Once the user is done with the modifications, step 620 executes byapplying the modifications to scanned document image 212. This may bedone by pressing or clicking a “Done” or “Apply” button in display andedit interface 204. Step 622 executes by saving the modified image fileand proceeding to the rest of the regular workflow within MFP 100. Themodified scanned document image provided by scan privacy tool 200 willbe saved, copied, printed, faxed, transmitted, and the like. Further,scan privacy tool 200 may save the modified image file to an externalstorage for later use.

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart 700 for pattern recognition and caching usingscan privacy tool 200 according to the disclosed embodiments. As piecesof confidential and private information are selected and replaced, theoriginal source pattern and the modification pattern may be saved sothat a re-occurrence of the source pattern in the same page or in thesame document, or subsequent pages and documents, may be replaced withthe modification pattern that the user created using the library tools.The original source pattern may be scanned image file 212 provided fromscanner flatbed 210 and displayed on display and edit interface 204. Themodification pattern is the modified scanned document image that hasprivate information 306-312, for example, changed from the originalsource pattern. The original source pattern and modification pattern maybe known as pattern pair.

Step 702 executes by generating the modified image file based on scannedimage file 212. This step generates the original source pattern andmodification pattern images used in flowchart 700. The original sourcepattern and modification pattern also include a rule based on apreference setting or policy.

Step 704 executes by selecting the rule or preference setting to be usedwith the pattern pair. The preference setting may be selected frompattern rule box 304, as shown in FIG. 3. The preference settings mayinclude an “all pages” box. This setting is a global search and replacerule that applies to all pages in the current scanned job. If checked,then the source pattern will be recognized and search from the currentpage location forward and replaced with the modifications made by theuser on scanned image file 212. This setting may not be saved or may notbe permanent for future scanned jobs.

Pattern rule box 304 also includes a “this page only” box. This settingis a local search and replace setting for the current page. The sourcepattern will be modified only on the current page of scanned image file212. A source pattern and a modification pattern may not be saved norcached using this setting.

The “always” box allows the user to create pattern-rule pairs using theoriginal source pattern and the modification pattern. This setting is apermanent search and replace for all subsequent jobs using scan privacytool 200. The source pattern is modified for all pages in the currentscanned job with a modification pattern generated as well. The pair ofdata for the patterns will be saved and available for use in futureoperations using MFP 100 and scan privacy tool 200.

Step 706 executes by saving the image files including any pattern-rulepairs. As there may be a lot of pages to be scanned, storage in thememory on MFP 100 may not be practical, especially if other jobs toprint, copy, fax and the like may arrive and need to be processed. WhenMFP 100 is not busy, a local hard drive or memory, such as memory 114,may be used. If no memory is available on MFP 100, then the scanneddocument images, original source pattern images, and modificationpattern images may be saved and cached in external storage, such asstorage 208. Alternatively, the images may be saved to an externalhard-drive, network storage, a database, cloud storage, and the like.

When the source pattern images and modification pattern images arestored in storage 208 and the like, the user will be able to re-usethese images and the patterns for future scanning of the same document.The images and patterns also may be used on other documents that mayhave the same or similar private, or confidential, information withinthe text or graphics. Step 708 executes by securing this data within adatabase within the storage with a password and encryption. Thus, onlyauthorized users may be able to access the original source documents andimages that include the private information. The database includes pairsof source patterns and modification patterns and may be encrypted usinga high-encryption algorithm.

Step 710 executes by enabling scan privacy tool 200 for a job on MFP100. After the user presses “start” or a similar command, scanneddocument image 212 is not immediately printed or processed. Instead, itis made available to the user via scan privacy tool 200 to makecorrections, edits, modifications, and the like. Scan privacy tool 200also may retrieve the pattern-rule pairs from the database.

Step 712 executes by applying the pattern-rule pairs to scanned documentimage 212 by scan privacy tool library 206. The user may select withpattern-rule pairs to apply. Those having the preference setting of“always” will be automatically applied to scanned document image 212.Step 714 executes by searching previously selected source patterns usingimage processing. Scan privacy tool library 206 performs scaling,shrinking, skewing, color adjustment, color conversions, and the like inorder to search image patterns in scanned document image 212.

Step 716 executes by applying the modification pattern if the sourcepattern is identified in step 714 in scanned document image 212. Scanprivacy tool library 206 finds private information within scanneddocument image 212 that corresponds to a source pattern saved in storage208. Scan privacy tool 200 then may apply the modification patternpreviously created for the source pattern in an earlier job.

Step 718 executes by accepting or rejecting the updates to scanneddocument image 212 that are applied using the modification pattern byscan privacy tool 200 based on the previously selected pattern-rulepairs. Those page objects that were auto-corrected or auto-updated willappear in edit and display interface 204 as editable objects withinscanned document image 212. The user may drag away, or reject, theoverlaid auto-correction or auto-update effects so that they will not beapplied for that object. In some embodiments, the user can reject themodification to the scanned document image going forward in the process.The pattern-rule pair may be disabled throughout the document image.

Step 720 executes by searching for additional patterns within scanneddocument image 212. In some embodiments, optical character recognition(OCR) technology may be used to search textual patterns, as opposed toimage patterns, that are specified from the user interface or othertools provided to the user. In other words, the user also may inputpatterns for which to search in scanned document image 212.

Step 722 executes by selecting a tool from toolbox 302 to modify scanneddocument image 212. If the user finds other page objects or contents asprivate information, then a selected tool applies the rules specified inpattern rule box 304 to the changes. In other words, the user may gothrough the processes disclosed above in FIGS. 5 and 6. The searchfeature of step 720 also may be used to identify private information inthe objects and this step to make the desired edits to scanned documentimage 212.

Step 724 executes by saving the modified scanned document image. Any newsource pattern and modification pattern pairs will be saved along withrules applied during changes using the selected tool. Thus, newlycreated pattern-rule pairs are saved. Through the use of the OCRtechnology, text patterns are extracted for use in future searches andto complement image pattern searching. Step 726 executes by transmittingthe modified image document to engine firmware 150 of MFP 100 forcompleting the job.

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart 800 for detecting motions or gestures toenable scan privacy tool 200 according to the disclosed embodiments.Different motion sensor devices, such as devices 360 and 380 disclosedabove, may provide for the direction and other parameters for the motionand gestures used to enable and apply the effects supported by scanprivacy tool 200. Gestures and motions include following a hand, finger,stylus, and the like to detect a left swipe, a right swipe, an upwardsswipe, a downwards swipe, an angle, a length of a movement, a width of amovement, the x-axis and y-axis position, the z-axis position, and thelike. These parameters are translated to the supported gestures. Eachgesture may include gaps in motion to allow for the formulation of onetranslation of movement to the supported gesture. In other words, theuser may stop for a brief period to allow scan privacy tool 200 totranslate the detected motion to a gesture recognized by the tool.

For example, a single swipe to the right implies that the user may behighlighting a page object, such as an address in a letter. Scan privacytool 200 would determine the (x,y) or (x,y,z) position in the space infront of motion sensor device 360 or 380 for a starting location andanother position for an ending location of the swipe gesture. If a pageobject exists within scanned document image 212 that corresponds to thestarting and ending locations, then scan privacy tool 200 applies ahighlighting color on the page object.

This process may be disclosed in greater detail by flowchart 800.Flowchart 800 may execute in conjunction with the flowcharts disclosedabove. Flowchart 800 may complement the tool selection andimplementation steps disclosed above, wherein effects are applied toscanned document image 212. Instead of interacting directly with displayand edit interface 204, the embodiments disclosed by flowchart 800 mayuse motion sensors to determine the edits, modifications, andcorrections to be made using scan privacy tool 200 on the scanneddocument image.

Step 801 executes by enabling scan privacy tool 200. As noted above, abutton may be selected on the display or through control buttons 320.For example, button 336 may be pressed to have scan privacy tool 200intercept scanned documents before further processing in order toidentify confidential information. Scan privacy tool 200 also may togglethe appropriate motion sensor device to detect motion in the area infront of its sensors. Thus, step 802 executes by detecting motion in anarea monitored by the motion sensors, as shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D. Aposition for a starting location of the items used for the gesture isdetermined. An ending location also is detected. This information fromthe sensors is provided to scan privacy tool 200.

Step 803 executes by receiving the motion parameters from the motionsensors. These parameters may include directional parameters, such asleft, right, downward, upward, and angle. Position parameters of thehand, finger, stylus, and the like include a starting (x,y,z) locationand an ending (x,y,z) location. Further, a parameter may be input on thetype of indicator tool used, such as a finger, stylus, multiple fingers,palm, pen/pencil, and the like. Another parameter that may be set withinthe motion sensor device or scan privacy tool 200 is the number ofmotion or gesture actions before a “pause” is determined. For example,motion sensor device 360 may determine a number of seconds has passedwithout any detected motion or four gestures were detected. Detection ispaused to allow scan privacy tool 200 to process the gestures, asdisclosed below.

Step 804 executes by forming a gesture token. A gesture token may be agroup of motions or gestures that are deemed together and non-separate.In other words, the one or more motions relate to one effect for scanneddocument image 212. A swipe with a pause afterwards may be considered asingle gesture token. Multiple right-left swipes followed by a pausealso may be considered a single gesture token. This step determines thegestures or motions to be used to instruct scan privacy tool 200.Gesture token also may be referred to as a gesture pattern.

Step 806 executes by translating the parameters and gesture token to ascan privacy tool supported effect. Such effects are disclosed above,and include highlight, zoom-in, zoom-out, tap, dragging, encircling,making an “X” mark, checking, erasing, blurring, and the like. Theinformation received by motion sensor device 360 is translated into acommand for using scan privacy tool 200 as disclosed in flowcharts 500,600, and 700. The translated gesture corresponds to the commands andinputs used by the steps on the flowcharts to modify or edit scanneddocument image 212.

Step 808 executes by adding the translated effect, or action to betaken, in an effect queue. The effect queue may be a list of effect andactions to take place on scanned document image 212. The changes may nottake place right as the motions and gestures are detected, but after allchanges have been made. Thus, step 810 executes by determining whethermore actions or effects are to be used on the scanned document image.The user may be prompted to acknowledge that additional effects are tobe used. Scan privacy tool 200 also may use a timer to prompt the userto continue detection by motion sensor device 360 by pressing a buttonon the display screen or on the front panel. If step 810 is yes, thenflowchart 800 returns to step 802 to detect additional motions orgestures.

If step 810 is no, then flowchart 800 proceeds to step 812, whichexecutes by determining whether any of the changes, effects, or edits tothe selected page objects should be discarded or removed. This stepallows the user to remove any changes that were made to scanned documentimage 212 before finalizing it for operations on MFP 100. If yes, thenstep 814 executes by engaging undo button 334 to indicate to scanprivacy tool 200 that something is be “undone.”

Step 816 executes by discarding the effect or the change to the pageobject made using the motions and gestures. In some embodiments, oneeffect is undone at a time. In others, it is possible to discardmultiple effects. This step allows the user to discard or correcteffects that were improperly translated above. For example, the usermight have accidentally swiped in the wrong direction or highlighted thewrong page object. Step 816 provides a step to remove the error from theeffect queue. After the discard process is complete, flowchart 800 mayreturn to step 802 to receive new inputs from the motion sensor device.

If step 812 is no, then step 818 executes by engaging the enter button.The enter button may be displayed in display and edit interface 204 or acontrol button, such as enter button 328. Other buttons or items may beengaged to finalize the changes made using scan privacy tool 200. Forexample, a gesture may indicate that the modifications are completed andaccepted. Further, an apply key may be used. The effect queue isprocessed with the translated effects applied to the scanned documentimage. Step 822 executes by saving the image file, as disclosed above,for further processing by MFP 100.

Thus, a motion sensor device may be used with the scan privacy tool tomake changes and edits on the scanned image to remove or hideconfidential information, or modify a document before being sent to theengine for the MFP. In other embodiments, control buttons may toggle thescan privacy tool on and off as well as move a pointer within thedisplay and edit interface to make the changes and edits to the scannedimage. These embodiments provide functionality in addition to using thescan privacy tool itself. The motion sensor device may be portable aswell to be used with a portable scan privacy tool.

Thus, a printing system is able to present a scanned document imageusing the scan privacy tool so that edits, changes, and modificationscan be made without having to send the document image to a computer oruse known methods of hiding information within the document. Moreover,the patterns created during the modification of the document may bestored for future use in printing or scanning operations. The scanprivacy tool includes a display and edit interface that is displayed atthe MFP device or on an external device having a touch screen. The userselects a tool from the interface and applies the functions of the toolin making the changes to the scanned document image. The modifieddocument image may be saved or sent to an engine within the MFP devicefor further jobs, such as printing, faxing, copying, and the like. Thechanges to remove or obscure the private information are implementedduring the jobs.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present inventionmay be embodied as a system, method or computer program product.Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirelyhardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (includingfirmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodimentcombining software and hardware aspects that may all generally bereferred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore,the present invention may take the form of a computer program productembodied in any tangible medium of expression having computer-usableprogram code embodied in the medium.

Any combination of one or more computer usable or computer readablemedium(s) may be utilized. The computer-usable or computer-readablemedium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus,device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustivelist) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: anelectrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computerdiskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flashmemory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a transmission media such as thosesupporting the Internet or an intranet, or a magnetic storage device.Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even bepaper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, asthe program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, opticalscanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, orotherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then storedin a computer memory.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the presentinvention may be written in any combination of one or more programminglanguages, including an object oriented programming language such asJava, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer,partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partlyon the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely onthe remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remotecomputer may be connected to the user's computer through any type ofnetwork, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network(WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (forexample, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

The present invention is described with reference to flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) andcomputer program products according to embodiments of the invention. Itwill be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/orblock diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may beprovided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce amachine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor ofthe computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, createmeans for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchartand/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specific thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments may be implemented as a computer process, a computing systemor as an article of manufacture such as a computer program product ofcomputer readable media. The computer program product may be a computerstorage medium readable by a computer system and encoding a computerprogram instructions for executing a computer process. When accessed,the instructions cause a processor to enable other components to performthe functions disclosed above.

The corresponding structures, material, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or steps plus function elements in the claims below are intendedto include any structure, material or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements are specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosenand described in order to best explain the principles of the inventionand the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill inthe art to understand the invention for embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

One or more portions of the disclosed networks or systems may bedistributed across one or more MFP systems coupled to a network capableof exchanging information and data. Various functions and components ofthe MFP system may be distributed across multiple client computerplatforms, or configured to perform tasks as part of a distributedsystem. These components may be executable, intermediate or interpretedcode that communicates over the network using a protocol. The componentsmay have specified addresses or other designators to identify thecomponents within the network.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications to the disclosed may be made without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the presentinvention covers the modifications and variations disclosed aboveprovided that these changes come within the scope of the claims andtheir equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A printing system comprising: a componentto generate a scanned image of a document; a scan privacy tool that isdetachable from the component including an imaging interface to storethe scanned image from the component in a memory location not accessibleby the component; a display and edit interface to receive the scannedimage from the imaging interface and to display the scanned image,wherein the display and edit interface receives an input to perform anaction to identify a portion in the scanned image having text, to modifythe portion of the scanned image using a tool so that the text is notviewable in the scanned image, and a scan privacy tool library tosupport the tool to modify the scanned image as displayed by the displayand edit interface, wherein the tool is a software component stored bythe scan privacy tool library; an external input device having a motionsensor device to receive the input to provide instructions to the scanprivacy tool to perform the action to modify the portion within thedisplay and edit interface, wherein the input is based upon a gesturedetected by the motion sensor device; and an engine to receive the imageincluding the modified portion from the display and edit interface inorder to process the image.
 2. The printing system of claim 1, whereinthe external input device includes a plurality of control buttons. 3.The printing system of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor device isconfigured to detect the gesture of an object in front of the sensor. 4.The printing system of claim 3, wherein the object includes a finger,pointer, pen, pencil, or hand.
 5. The printing system device of claim 3,wherein the motion sensor device is detachable from the multi-functionalprinting device.
 6. The printing system of claim 3, wherein the motionsensor device includes a plurality of motion detection sensors.
 7. Themulti-functional printing device of claim 1, wherein the tool makes themodified portion of the image private such that the portion is notvisible or readable.
 8. The multi-functional printing device of claim 1,wherein the tool is controlled by the external input device.
 9. A systemfor modifying a scanned image, the system comprising: a scan privacytool to modify the scanned image, the scan privacy tool including animaging interface to receive the scanned image of a document and tostore the scanned image in a memory located within the scan privacytool; a display and edit interface to receive and to display the scannedimage, to identify a portion in the scanned image having text, to modifythe portion of the scanned image using a tool so that the text is notviewable in the scanned image; and a scan privacy tool library having atleast one tool to support an action to modify the portion of the scannedimage, wherein the tool is a software component stored by the scanprivacy tool, the display and edit interface to use the at least onetool to modify the portion of the scanned image; and an external inputdevice coupled to the scan privacy tool, the external input devicehaving a motion sensor device to receive the input to provideinstructions to perform the action to modify the portion of the scannedimage using the at least one tool, wherein the input is based upon agesture detected by the motion sensor device.
 10. The system of claim 9,wherein the motion sensor device is configured to detect the gesturerelated to the action to modify the scanned image in front of thesensor.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the motion sensor device isa portable motion sensor device.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein theexternal input device provides an instruction to accept the actionsperformed on the scanned image to modify the portion by the display andedit interface.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the tool iscontrolled by the external input device.
 14. A method for modifying ascanned image of a document, the method comprising: enabling a scanprivacy tool to receive input from an external input device; storing thescanned image in a memory located on the scan privacy tool; displayingthe image file on a display and edit interface of the scan privacy tool;selecting a computer-implemented tool supported by a scan privacy toollibrary of the scan privacy tool; receiving instructions from theexternal input device by receiving the input using a motion sensordevice to perform an action on a page object within the scanned image,wherein the instructions correspond to a gesture detected by the motionsensor device; identifying the page object within the scanned imagehaving text according to the action; modifying the page object withinthe scanned image to become private such that the page object is notviewable according to the action using the tool of the scan privacy toolas indicated by the input; saving the modified page object of thescanned image; and printing the scanned image at a printing device withthe page object not being viewable, wherein the scan privacy tool isdetachable from the printing device.
 15. The method of claim 14, whereinreceiving the instructions includes receiving the instructions frominput detected by the sensor, wherein the sensor is a motion sensordevice.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising detecting amotion or a gesture in front of the motion sensor device correspondingto the action to perform on the page object.
 17. The method of claim 16,further comprising translating the motion or the gesture into the actionfor the scan privacy tool.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein themodifying step includes modifying the page object to become private suchthat the page object is not visible or readable.
 19. The method of claim14, further comprising controlling the tool using the external inputdevice.